Call for SSR Science Education Outreach Day Volunteers: Camp Monkey
The second annual SSR Science Education Outreach Day will be held on Friday, 29 July 2011 (just prior to the start of the SSR meeting on Sunday). We will take advantage of the unique proximity of the SSR meeting in Portland to the beautiful campus of the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), where the activity will be held. The theme for our outreach day will be "Camp Monkey," and we will accommodate 72 middle school students (6–8th grade) from the Portland metropolitan area for a full day of science fun! The students will rotate among six separate, 45-minute labs, 9 am–4 pm, with lunch and snacks provided.
Camp Monkey
Camp Monkey is a one-day science camp experience where students will learn about biology, behavior, and biomedical research. Curious about monkeys? Come to Camp Monkey and learn about these fascinating creatures, including:
- Monkey biology
- Behavior
- Threats to survival in the wild
- How monkeys help scientists understand disease
- and more!
Volunteering
We need volunteers to help with hands-on laboratory activities appropriate for this age group. If you enjoy the excitement and enthusiasm of young students as they discover new things in the world around them, we welcome your assistance and input. You do not need to know anything about monkeys for we have customized lab ideas to the monkey theme (comparative reproductive biology, behavior, RNA/DNA/genetics, assisted reproduction techniques, environmental contaminants, animal enrichment) that are related to biomedical/veterinary research in reproduction.
Once the labs are finalized, we will contact each of you who has volunteered to get your preference as to where you would like to help, based on your expertise and/or interest.
Outreach Day Lodging
Extended Stay America-Beaverton is holding twenty hotel rooms for us: 18 double-double rooms; 1 double-double suite; and 1 king + sofa sleeper suite, all at $72.99 per night, for the nights of 28 and 29 July (departing 30 July). The hotel is a 10-minute walk to the Primate Center and is on the city bus route). Volunteers booking a room at the hotel will need to know the following:
Guests must identify themselves as booking under SSR's "Camp Monkey," in order to secure the reduced rate. Extended Stay requires that rooms are booked by 7/15/2011. Check-in time is at 3:00 pm / Check-out time is 11:00 am.
Extended Stay America #335-Beaverton
18665 NW Elder Ct
Beaverton, OR 97006
Tel:(503) 439-1515
Fax:(503) 439-1616
Email: hll@extendedstay.com
All hotel reservations will be made by individual guests and will be automatically guaranteed for late arrival. If a guest does not check in, he or she will be charged one night's room rate plus applicable taxes.
If these rooms fill up, we will make arrangements for a back-up hotel. If you prefer to make your own arrangements at other area hotels and need suggestions, contact Mary Zelinski (zelinski@ohsu.edu).
To volunteer, or for more information, please contact the organizers of this activity via email:
- Mary Zelinski (zelinski@ohsu.edu), Division of Reproductive Sciences, ONPRC
- Diana Gordon (gordondi@ohsu.edu), Director of Education Outreach, ONPRC
- Derek McLean (dmclean@wsu.edu), Dept. of Animal Sciences, Washington State University
We are so excited to host this day of science education outreach, and look forward to working with you!
Supported by a grant from Burroughs Wellcome Fund